CB/Deconstruction of Love Actually

 Love Actually (Richard Curtis,2003)

Director-Richard Curtis

Writer-Richard Curtis

Production Companies-Universal Pictures,Studio Canal,Working Title Films and in association with DNA Films

Distrubutors-Universal Pictures

Stars-Hugh Grant,Liam Neeson,Colin Firth,Laur Linney,Emma Thompson,Alan Rickman,Keira Knightley,Martine McCutcheon,Bill Nighy and Rowan Atkinson

Running Time-135 mins

Rating-15 due to moderate sexuality,nudity and language

Filming Locations-London,UK and France

(Budget- £30,000,000)

Box Office Gross-$407,971,235 ( USA,2003),  £81,697,392 (UK,2003)

Here is the trailer for Love Actually:

Sypnosis-The characters are falling in love, falling out of love, some are with right people, some are with the wrong people, some are looking to have an affair, some are in the period of mourning; a capsule summary of reality. Love begins and love ends. They flirt a lot. They are all flirting with love. At all ages and social levels, love is the theme. Romantic love and brotherly love is the hotchpotch through out the movie. Most of the movie is filmed in London, during Christmas and the characters all ended up at Heathrow airport a very uplifting note.

Tagline-Very Romantic.Very Comedy. or  The Ultimate Romantic Comedy

Opening Analysis ( 2 mins)

Deconstruction of shots in opening scene-

• Camera pans and focuses on certain 'loved up' people.There are alot of people, we get a sense it coud be busy aiport/station?
• Close-ups to show true happiness by peoples smiles and lovingly gesures e.g. kissing and hugging.

Different people of all ages,shape,race and gender were shown either huggng or kissing showing their gratitude of love.There are some snapshots at the side, showing the diversity of people represented and shot types.The first snapshot is shown near the beginging and is a side-shot/mid-shot  a mother with her two daughters running to her for a hug.The other snapshot is a close-up showing a couple kissing which is a unique shot of them almost 'poking' out of the crowd.I also noticed with this shoti that it forms the outline of a love heart, the couples heads being the top and the bottom of the oveheart shaped by the peoples shoulders (who are stood infront)intentional or not, it looks impressive

Soundtrack
The opening sequence starts with slowly played orchestra, which gradually fades at the end into Bill Nighy Singing! In my opinion I think this style of music is light,calming,peaceful and creates some sort of serenity.This music is thought provoking and makes the audience think about our loved ones and they refelct on the happiness it brings to people.As the music is not too distracting we concentrate heavily into the action on screen and listen contently to every wood the voiceover has to say.The music highlights what he says for it is light and romantic,setting the mood for the rest of the film.The voice over is spoken by Hugh Grant.He mentions that whenever he gets gloomy about the state of the world -(he's the prime-minister) he thinks of the arrivals gate at Heathrow Aiport-(anchors location of footage).He continues to mention that a general opinion of people say we live in a world of hatred and greed.He see's that love is everywhere, whether it be dignified or news worthy, but it's always there.He says theres fathers' and sons',mothers' and daughters',husbands' and wives',boyfriends' and girlfriends' and old friends.He then brings up te controversial subject of the 'Twin Towers' accident. Stating that,when the plane hit the tiwn towers, that the phonecalls from people on board were not  messages of hate or revenge but  messages of love.Finally, he concludes that if you look for it, he has a sneaky feeling that love is all around.

Film Titles

The first titles that are shown are the production and distrubution titles.These titles are in a soft edged font white font.The soft edged font is commonly used in Romantic Comedies to mirror its lightheartedness compared to a much sharper font that would be used in a horror film.The White font on a black background also quite often used but is puzzling to why it is for most would think it looks like a serious drama.The rest of the film titles come in after the 2 mins.Before the 2 minutes is over,there are different shots of people hugging and words come on the screen repeating what the voiceover has just said.The voiceover says ' Love Actually is all around'.When he says one of those words, that words comes up on screen.The words except is are in a white coloured font whilst the word 'is' is in a red font.This empthasises his point that love IS all around and cold also conntote that this is the case in the film.The font then quickly fades and the words 'love' and 'actually' come together whilst the other words fade out.However the word 'Love' turns into the red font that was on the word 'is'.The colour red links to themes of romance and lust which links to the genre of the film.Highlighting love symbolises that film is based upon this.

Mise-en-scene

• Airport-People carrying Suitcases and travel bags and terminal signs.

Any influence?-The colour of the film titles, influenced our colour scheme of fonts and the speeds of the fading of the titles also appealed for ideas to our opening.The speed of fading of the shots also took our interest whilst the shot types that were used to show emotion also interested us to use them.The close-ups of people, showing emotion in detail, we thought was a great idea for it engages the audience to feel emotion too.

CB/Deconstruction of Four Weddings and a Funeral

Four Weddings and a Funeral

(Mike Newell,1994)

Director-Mike Newell

Writer-Richard Curtis

Production Companies-Polygram Filmed Entertainment,Channel Four Films and Working Title Films

Distributors-MGM/UA Home Entertainment and Polygram Filmed Entertainment

Stars-Hugh Grant,Rowan Atkinson,James Fleet and Andie Macdowell

Running Time-117 Mins

Rating-15 due to strong language and sexual references

Filming Locations-London,Surrey,Essex and Buckinghamshire (UK)

Box Office-(Budget- £3,500,00)

USA Gross 1994-$52,700,832  

UK Gross 1994-£119,141,575

Here is the trailer for Four Weddings and a Funeral:

Sypnosis- The film follows the fortunes of Charles and his friends as they wonder if they will ever find true love and marry. Charles thinks he's found "Miss Right" in Carrie, an American. This British subtle comedy revolves around Charlie, his friends and the four weddings and one funeral which they attend.

Tagline- Five good reasons to stay single

Opening Analysis-(Lasts 2mins)

Film Titles-Black Background with bold white font (odd for a romantic comedy as it is typically a much softer font e.g serif.The actual film title-Four Weddings and A Funeral is iced on a wedding cake which is an imaginative and quirky idea.

Shots-
Soundtrack- At the begining-Orchestra- which is almost eerie! Again is odd for a romantic comedy.Elton John-But not for me plays.'They're writing songs of love but not for me'This is quote from this song is relevant for it could show that the guy in the film is not loved and therefore anchoring Charles (Hugh Grant) is a single man.It also signifies that the storyline is about love.

CB/Deconstruction of Juno

Juno (Jason Reitman,2007)

Director-Jason Reitman
Writer-Diablo Cody
Production Companies-Fox Searchlight Pictures (Presents)Mandate pictures , Mr Mudd (Co-productions)
Distrbutions-Fox Searchlight Pictures and 20th Century Fox
Stars-Ellen Page,Michael Cera,Jennifer Garner,Jason Bateman,Allison Janney and J.K Simmons
Running Time-96 mins
Rating-15 due to strong language and moderate sex references
Filming Locations-Canada, USA
Box Office-(Budget- $ 7,500,000)
Opening Weekend-$413,869 (USA) (9th December 2007) 
(7 Screens)
£2,002,120 (UK) (10 February 2008) (363 Screens)


Here is the trailer for Juno:




Sypnosis-A tale told over four seasons, starting in autumn when Juno, a 16-year-old high-school junior in Minnesota, discovers she's pregnant after one event in a chair with her best friend, Bleeker. In the waiting room of an abortion clinic, the quirky and whip-sharp Juno decides to give birth and to place the child with an adoptive couple. She finds one in the PennySaver personals, contacts them, tells her dad and step-mother, and carries on with school. The chosen parents, upscale yuppies (one of whom is cool and laid back, the other meticulous and uptight), meet Juno, sign papers, and the year unfolds. Will Juno's plan work, can she improvise, and what about Bleeker?

Tagline- A comedy about growing up and the bumps along the way...

Opening Analysis (Lasts 2 mins):-
Deconstruction of opening shots

• First shot on film has he first title which says 'Autumn' in white font on a black background.This is unsual for these colours are often used in horror films.However the word 'Autumn' is written in a bubbly font as it was handwritten/doodled by a teenager.This teenager in this case could perhaps be Juno?  This anchors the current season that the film is set in.
• The black background then transfrom into a long shot of a house (possibly Juno's and we can see a girl at the far left of the shot (who again could be Juno) with Sunny D in her hand, facing an oldfashioned armchair.The weather looks like a new day is starting-dawn?The title autumn becomes transparent and then dizzolves off screen
• 3rd Shot,zooms closer onto Juno who is now taking a drink of her Sunny D as if she was gulping whisky and wipes her mouth on her sleeve!This is comical and it gives us an idea that Juno isn't very 'ladylike'.
• 4th Shot is a close-up of Junos face.Her hair is scraped back and no make-up sigifying she doesn't take care in her appearance,down to earth maybe? She seems to be in deep thought looking at the chair.Is the chair symbolic? Has a chair affected her in some way? A voiceover then says 'It started with the chair'-Again as an audience member we wonder even more, how the chair is involved
• 5th Shot is a low angle, from the side of Junos ankles and in the background you can see someone (Paulie) sitting in a chair naked.Possible sex scene ?
• 6th Shot shows Juno's cherry knickers falling down her legs which again connotes that she is about to have sex.The cherry knickers a comical fo they are quite frumpy and could signfy that she is about to 'pop her cherry' and not be a virgin anymore. Juno then steps out of her knickers that were around her ankles and she rocks on her feet nervously which could also anchor that ths is her first time.
• 7th Shot shows her walk slowly towards (Paulie) which again could show nervousness.Close up of her as she is walking towards him-she looks happy but smiles nervously.Juno then sits on his lap.
• 8th Shot-Extreme close-up of Juno and Paulie's lips kissing.This emphasises their passion.Paulie then whispers in Juno's ear and says 'i've wanted this for a very long time.This shows they've delayed having a sex and that he too could be a virgin? Also shows his love for Juno.
• 9th Shot- mid-shot of Dog woofing which abruptly interrups the 'romance' which again is funny.Mid-shot of Juno's reaction as she says 'Jeeze Banana,Shut your frickin' gob okay? This is a humourous line as she is talking to a dog and has been interrupted by her daydreaming about her and Paulie with the chair! A voicover then says 'This is the most magnificent disregarded living room set i have ever seen.'As if she is about to nick it!
• 10th Shot shows a side shot of juno walking down the street.Runners run past her which is significant for they are in the film alot as Paulie is part of that running team.
• The footage then cleverly turns into a cartoon animation of her but it still shows her walking on down the street.It looks like somethin out of a comic book or what a child has drawn as the coloring in of the cartoon is done in felt tips.This is quirky and unique to watch,engaging the audience even more for the scenes of Juno walking are always changing as she passes different places

Soundtrack
All I Want Is You-Barry Louis Polisar, This acoustic song is very folky has is has a guitar and a harmonica playing.This sets the feel to the film making it appear friendly,straight to the point,down to earth,orginal,simplistic and charismatic.

FilmTitles
Written in a childlike scribble handwriting like it could be Juno's handwriting.The titles also move slightl just like the cartoon footage does as if it was on a projector.This gives a sense of more fun.

Mise-en-scene
Juno's costume is very preppy which again connotes that she is at highschool , a tomboy and doesnt really give a great deal about her appearance.Drinking Sunny D again shows her tom-boyish attitude.
Juno's house is fairly middleclass for it isnt massively big but it is a nice surrounding suburba.
The chair outside her house which is randomly dumped may represent attitudes in her neighbourhood.

Any Influence? We loved the sound of the soundtrack for it fitted perfectly well with the film.The fresh sound of this acoustc music influenced our ideas of our soundtrack as we are now possibly thinking of doing a live sound recording rather than a sound clip made on garageband.We also like the unique film titles as we intend to do quirky titles too.The comical lines that are also said whilst giving exposition gaves us some ideas for our main characters lines.

FH - Ideas For The Characters

These two characters are from the movies 'wild child' and '17 again', these are the costumes that inspired our characters appearance's. We found these pictures on google.  

Anthea Lovell

We would like to make the character of Anthea look like Emma Roberts in her Movie 'Wild Child'.She is a typical blonde, American stereotype. Her clothing signify that she is rich and her sun glasses signify that she is trying to hide away from people to hope they do not recognize her. Our actress is Zoe Smith, she is going to atempt the American accent other wise we will keep it English.

Jake Thomson

This picture of Zac Efron has the basic casual look we would like our character Jake to have.We want Jake to have a casual look as he is only going to work and is going to be late so it looks like he hasn't made too much effort which will show us the difference between him and Anthea. Wearing a plain jacket will give away his personality of been plain. Carl Hewitt is going to be the actor to play Jake.

Written by Faye

FH - ideas for the titles

• When Jake gets out of bed, we can have titles written where he was asleep, we can use an old sheet or old piece of fabric and write on it.
• Opening the curtains, names on window.
• On the cafe Nero cup we can have names on it.
• On the timetable of trains, or in the shelter bit.
• Post coming through the door, names on the letter.
• in the fridge he can pull out orange juice (him in background and camera on table and names on orange juice) and other items for breakfast.

FH - Spot Light Love

I am working with Charlotte Barraclough.
For our film we have combined both our pitch ideas to create a new idea. It is a romantic comedy and our target audience is towards teenagers and adults.

The story line is a young man, Jake Thomson, he is a waiter and is going to work by train. On the train he opens a newspaper and there is a picture of a beautiful woman (Anthea Lovell) but he does not know much of her. The train arrives at Ilkley, Jake is very late so is rushing but as he is speedily walking to work on this perticular day he bumps into a famous actress, Anthiea Lovell, making her drop her shopping as well as both their mobiles which happen to be the same, he does not know who she is which affends her. He ends up noticing that it is not his mobile so he rings his phone, which she has, and says "hi, i have your phone" this will be the end of the opening of the film.

Setting
For our settings we need a train station and a coffee shop. We have decided to use Ilkley and Burley station's for when Jake Thomson gets on the train (at Burley) and gets off (at Ilkley). We are going to base the incodent when they bump into one another outside cafe Nero (Ilkley).                                                      

Mise-en-scene

• a newspaper or magazine
• wallet
• photo card 
• train ticket
• 2 mobile phones
• Starbucks cup
• sunglasses
• heels
• a waiter name badge
• shopping bags

Costume

Jake Thomson - Black trousers and shoes, a white shirt, name tag, a plain jacket.

Anthiea Lovell- Blonde, sunglasses, big ear-rings, heels,  light coloured clothing e.g. skirt, top & a jacket.

Sound

Diagetic sound will be used up until they bump into each other which will then turn to non diagetic sound as they will say a few things to each other and then it will go into diagetic sound when they leave each other. 

How to make the prelim better

•  I needed to be included in the shots.
•  Camera shots were shaky so we should of used a tripod.
•  We needed to edit in the purposely broken 180 degree rule to show how it does not work.
•  We could of had a set genre rather than just an everyday theme.
•  We needed appropriate props and scene. 
•  The acting needs to be more serious and thought out before hand rather than last minute decisions because then we would of had an idea of what to do during the filming as we only had an hour.
• In the background we can see Sam, we should of made sure there was no one behind what we were shooting. 
• We needed to have narrative enigma, We could of kept Charlie's identity hidden e.g. shot of feet coming through the door rather than his face.
• There are a lot of jump cuts so we should of taken more shots.
• The shots we took we should of varied and taken long shots as well as close ups. There is a shot when Harry says that he is much better than Sam so we should of taken a low angle shot to show him as bigger and more controlling.
• To show the viewers anchorage of where we are we should of taken a master shot of the room/ surroundings.